Comments on: Not so tender moment for Durbin, but Byrdak has that loving feeling http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:06:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Bix http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75076 Bix Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:16:33 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75076 Hooray! Haren to the NL! Anything that doesn't help CLE (or BOS, or NY, or MIN, or anyone else in the AL) is good for us. I've heard the Bedard-to-the-reds rumor too, that'd make me doubly happy. Like I said the day of the Miggy/Dontrelle trade -- can spring training start today? Hooray! Haren to the NL! Anything that doesn’t help CLE (or BOS, or NY, or MIN, or anyone else in the AL) is good for us. I’ve heard the Bedard-to-the-reds rumor too, that’d make me doubly happy.

Like I said the day of the Miggy/Dontrelle trade — can spring training start today?

]]> By: greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75073 greg Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:51:04 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75073 Rumor has the Reds as the favorite to land Bedard, but these things change day to day. Cardinals are also interested. Rumor has the Reds as the favorite to land Bedard, but these things change day to day. Cardinals are also interested.

]]> By: Walt http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75071 Walt Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:36:35 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75071 Could it mean that Pudge may be available to cut payroll? Another interesting tidbit, I just saw on Sportscenter that Haren was traded to the Diamondbacks. The DB's also traded Valverde to Houston. I am glad that he is going to the NL. I know that Cleveland has been trying to get Haren or Bedard. Now that Haren is gone, hopefully the O's will ask for too much for Bedard. I know C. C. may leave after next year, but that rotation would be scary with another ace added to Carmona and Sabathia. Could it mean that Pudge may be available to cut payroll?

Another interesting tidbit, I just saw on Sportscenter that Haren was traded to the Diamondbacks. The DB’s also traded Valverde to Houston.

I am glad that he is going to the NL. I know that Cleveland has been trying to get Haren or Bedard. Now that Haren is gone, hopefully the O’s will ask for too much for Bedard. I know C. C. may leave after next year, but that rotation would be scary with another ace added to Carmona and Sabathia.

]]> By: greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75070 greg Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:30:55 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75070 http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071214/SPORTS02/71214037/1050/rss15 Tigers are interested in Olivo. Must mean that Wilson's arm isn't healthy? Anyone heard? http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.....1050/rss15

Tigers are interested in Olivo.

Must mean that Wilson’s arm isn’t healthy? Anyone heard?

]]> By: Bix http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75026 Bix Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:40:19 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75026 crap, I broke the form with my awful links. Sorry Billfer. crap, I broke the form with my awful links. Sorry Billfer.

]]> By: Bix http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75025 Bix Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:39:31 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75025 Don -- I agree for the most part. I like what we have. But here's my feeling about middle relief: often the same guys aren't good/bad consistently year to year. Look back at guys (MLB-wide) that've been "dominant" MR/setup guys for several seasons. How many are there that're not named Scot Shields? Usually a guy that holds an era under 2.50 or 3.00 for more than one season ends up getting a shot as a closer (Lidge, Dotel, Latroy, Otsuka, Flash Gordon, etc etc) and either they succeed, and never go back to MR (like Joe Nathan) or they struggle and end up as (at best) a moderately reliable setup guy (think Derrick Turnbow...or maybe even Rodney). There just are very few year-to-year solid MRs...that's why they're MRs. So to say that because Byrdak, Seay, etc were good last year, they'll be the same this year worries me a bit. If you told me we could have Scot Shields at $3.4mil (what he made last year), I'd pay him immediately, as there are very few guys like him. Zumaya, I think, can be one of those guys (assuming he gets back to his '06 form) but not having a guy to pitch the 7th or 8th inning in tight games is a hole I'd like to fill. Especially with a staff that had *1* complete game last year, and may need a bridge guy to get us to Todd pretty regularly. Here's a link to the relievers ranked by WHIP, min 40 innings pitched last year. Most are either closers or totally unavailable, but look at CLE having 2 in the top 8 and MIN having 3 in the top 22, while we don't have anyone in the top 40 (Seay at 42). In 2006 we had Walker, Rodney, and Zumaya all in the top 40. I just think it'd be nice to have "that guy", like Okajima was for BOS this season. I guess one *totally* crazy idea would be that it could be someone in the system already -- Cruceta maybe? <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/pitching?sort=WHIP&split=128&league=mlb&season=2007&seasonType=2&type=pitch3&ageMin=17&ageMax=51&hand=a&pos=all&minip=40" rel="nofollow">2007:</a> <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/pitching?sort=WHIP&split=128&league=mlb&season=2006&seasonType=2&type=pitch3&ageMin=17&ageMax=51&hand=a&pos=all&minip=40" rel="nofollow"> 2006: </a> Don — I agree for the most part. I like what we have. But here’s my feeling about middle relief: often the same guys aren’t good/bad consistently year to year. Look back at guys (MLB-wide) that’ve been “dominant” MR/setup guys for several seasons. How many are there that’re not named Scot Shields? Usually a guy that holds an era under 2.50 or 3.00 for more than one season ends up getting a shot as a closer (Lidge, Dotel, Latroy, Otsuka, Flash Gordon, etc etc) and either they succeed, and never go back to MR (like Joe Nathan) or they struggle and end up as (at best) a moderately reliable setup guy (think Derrick Turnbow…or maybe even Rodney).

There just are very few year-to-year solid MRs…that’s why they’re MRs. So to say that because Byrdak, Seay, etc were good last year, they’ll be the same this year worries me a bit. If you told me we could have Scot Shields at $3.4mil (what he made last year), I’d pay him immediately, as there are very few guys like him. Zumaya, I think, can be one of those guys (assuming he gets back to his ’06 form) but not having a guy to pitch the 7th or 8th inning in tight games is a hole I’d like to fill. Especially with a staff that had *1* complete game last year, and may need a bridge guy to get us to Todd pretty regularly.

Here’s a link to the relievers ranked by WHIP, min 40 innings pitched last year. Most are either closers or totally unavailable, but look at CLE having 2 in the top 8 and MIN having 3 in the top 22, while we don’t have anyone in the top 40 (Seay at 42). In 2006 we had Walker, Rodney, and Zumaya all in the top 40. I just think it’d be nice to have “that guy”, like Okajima was for BOS this season. I guess one *totally* crazy idea would be that it could be someone in the system already — Cruceta maybe?

2007:

2006:

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75024 Kathy Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:32:56 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75024 As a seasoned veteran of hosting and shopping yard sales I can tell you the main reason people have them: need money, too much stuff, like to socialize with people. As a seasoned veteran of hosting and shopping yard sales I can tell you the main reason people have them:

need money, too much stuff, like to socialize with people.

]]> By: don http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75022 don Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:50:10 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75022 I don’t really get all the hand-wringing about our bullpen. Todd jones is what he is. Rodney is a good-enough setup man. Seay, byrdak and miner combined for an ERA under 3.00. Grilli had a few bad games in May (9.90 era in may), but was otherwise solid and dependable (3.57 2nd half ERA). That’s 6 solid relievers. So we have some competition for our 7th reliever between live-arm youngsters like bazardo and cruceta and whoever else; the 7th reliever spot doesn’t really seem like something DD needs to go out and spend money on. Of course, non-tenders are cheap, but it’s kind of like shopping at garage sales: the stuff is cheap, but it’s out on someone’s lawn for a reason. I don’t really get all the hand-wringing about our bullpen. Todd jones is what he is. Rodney is a good-enough setup man. Seay, byrdak and miner combined for an ERA under 3.00. Grilli had a few bad games in May (9.90 era in may), but was otherwise solid and dependable (3.57 2nd half ERA). That’s 6 solid relievers. So we have some competition for our 7th reliever between live-arm youngsters like bazardo and cruceta and whoever else; the 7th reliever spot doesn’t really seem like something DD needs to go out and spend money on. Of course, non-tenders are cheap, but it’s kind of like shopping at garage sales: the stuff is cheap, but it’s out on someone’s lawn for a reason.

]]> By: Bix http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75021 Bix Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:33:23 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75021 I'm with macbengal, I've always liked Calero, and he was REAL bad last season (but historically is pretty solid), so we might get him on the cheap. Wise is also a good option -- either way, I'd like to see us look for a cheapish, hard-throwing righty to replace Zoom for as long as needed. I’m with macbengal, I’ve always liked Calero, and he was REAL bad last season (but historically is pretty solid), so we might get him on the cheap. Wise is also a good option — either way, I’d like to see us look for a cheapish, hard-throwing righty to replace Zoom for as long as needed.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75019 Ryan Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:14:46 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75019 Anyone else like Matt Wise as an upgrade for Grilli? Anyone else like Matt Wise as an upgrade for Grilli?

]]> By: macbengal http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75013 macbengal Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:01:05 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75013 Kiko Calero at 2m, and Roberto Novoa at .500.000 could be helpful cheaper Cruceta/Bautista like options too. Kiko Calero at 2m, and Roberto Novoa at .500.000 could be helpful cheaper Cruceta/Bautista like options too.

]]> By: Steve in Kzoo http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75012 Steve in Kzoo Thu, 13 Dec 2007 07:27:14 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75012 Otsuka would be a great choice to add our decent bullpen. But why did Texas non tender him? My theory has got to be that perhaps maybe Otsuka does need Tommy John Surgery after all? But if not Dombrowski should at the very least take a look at him. I mean we do have the room on the 40 man roster. Otsuka could be worth probably $3-4mm per year. Not to bad if hes healthy then a 1 year deal would be worth it. Otsuka would be a great choice to add our decent bullpen. But why did Texas non tender him? My theory has got to be that perhaps maybe Otsuka does need Tommy John Surgery after all? But if not Dombrowski should at the very least take a look at him. I mean we do have the room on the 40 man roster. Otsuka could be worth probably $3-4mm per year. Not to bad if hes healthy then a 1 year deal would be worth it.

]]> By: Walt http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75008 Walt Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:10:44 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75008 Otsuka was also non tendered. Iseem to recall the tigers wanted him at the deadline last year, but Texas wanted too much. Otsuka was also non tendered. Iseem to recall the tigers wanted him at the deadline last year, but Texas wanted too much.

]]> By: Mark in Chicago http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75005 Mark in Chicago Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:59:24 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75005 Greg, Interesting idea, so I started to poke around for info. I found this on McPherson's wikipedia site: McPherson spent the entirety of the 2007 season on the disabled list after choosing to have back surgery to fuse two vertebrate in his back. Ouch. I have no idea how effective he could possibly be, but at a minimum there's a year's worth of rust. I like your thinking, though, I see no reason not to look and see who's on the scrap heap and see if they can't contribute in some way. Greg,

Interesting idea, so I started to poke around for info. I found this on McPherson’s wikipedia site:

McPherson spent the entirety of the 2007 season on the disabled list after choosing to have back surgery to fuse two vertebrate in his back.

Ouch. I have no idea how effective he could possibly be, but at a minimum there’s a year’s worth of rust. I like your thinking, though, I see no reason not to look and see who’s on the scrap heap and see if they can’t contribute in some way.

]]> By: greg http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75004 greg Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:37:23 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/12/not-so-tender-moment-for-durbin-but-byrdak-has-that-loving-feeling/#comment-75004 Speaking of non-tendering. Dallas McPherson was nontendered by the Angels. Lefty masher who can play 1B-3B with monster power. Hit 46 HR's in 2004 between AA-AAA-MLB, led the Minors in SLG% that year. Used to take walks, but that was a while ago, now has become impatient at the plate and strikes out a TON. Don't know how good/bad he is defensively. Was the can't miss prospect/3B of the future for the Angels a couple of years ago(2005) and projected to produce along the lines Troy Glaus, but has been beset with injuries and passed up by Wood. I know there's not a great fit here for the Tigers with the Tigers infield loaded with solid starters, but the guy has upside. And could be a cheap gamble as a Left Handed power bat the Tigers have coveted. Perhaps a LH bat off the bench? Or someone to sign, see if he puts up#'s in the Minors, and use him as a commodity, or 'insurance' in case there's in injury? Speaking of non-tendering. Dallas McPherson was nontendered by the Angels. Lefty masher who can play 1B-3B with monster power. Hit 46 HR’s in 2004 between AA-AAA-MLB, led the Minors in SLG% that year. Used to take walks, but that was a while ago, now has become impatient at the plate and strikes out a TON. Don’t know how good/bad he is defensively. Was the can’t miss prospect/3B of the future for the Angels a couple of years ago(2005) and projected to produce along the lines Troy Glaus, but has been beset with injuries and passed up by Wood.

I know there’s not a great fit here for the Tigers with the Tigers infield loaded with solid starters, but the guy has upside. And could be a cheap gamble as a Left Handed power bat the Tigers have coveted. Perhaps a LH bat off the bench? Or someone to sign, see if he puts up#’s in the Minors, and use him as a commodity, or ‘insurance’ in case there’s in injury?

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